

Essex County, MA vs Lake County, IL
Lake County, IL comes out ahead of Essex County, MA on 19 of 29 statistics where one end is better, to 9 with 1 ties. Essex County, MA leads on Health. Lake County, IL leads on Economics.
29 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 1 tie. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 9
- Avg. percentile
- 64
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 19
- Avg. percentile
- 66
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US counties.
| Statistic | Essex County, MA | Lake County, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 827,136 80th of 3,094 | 720,188 98th of 3,094 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $101,883 154th of 3,093 | $110,416 95th of 3,093 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 9.37% 656th of 3,094 | 8.34% 424th of 3,094 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 4.6% tied 2,157th of 3,094 | 4.7% tied 2,256th of 3,094 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 36.7% tied 1,322nd of 3,094 | 33.8% tied 646th of 3,094 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 28.5 2,407th of 3,094 | 28.5 2,413th of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 6,194 tied 2,151st of 3,050 | 6,583 2,289th of 3,050 |
| Median Air Quality IndexAir Quality by County (EPA) | 40 tied 479th of 960 | 39 tied 410th of 960 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsLake County, IL · 9 statistics
- HealthEssex County, MA · 11 statistics
Biggest differences
The 22 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 1,547 US counties.
| Statistic | Essex County, MA | Lake County, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 79.1% tied 252nd of 2,916 | 75.1% tied 1,573rd of 2,916 |
| Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 6.5% tied 96th of 2,916 | 9.7% tied 1,205th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Depression (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 23.0% tied 1,160th of 2,916 | 18.5% tied 139th of 2,916 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 36.7% tied 1,322nd of 3,094 | 33.8% tied 646th of 3,094 |
| Adults with Diabetes (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 8.7% tied 286th of 2,916 | 9.8% tied 872nd of 2,916 |
| Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 23.2% tied 699th of 2,916 | 19.4% tied 183rd of 2,916 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $619,100 3,017th of 3,092 | $345,700 2,652nd of 3,092 |
| Cooling Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 497 tied 546th of 3,050 | 696 tied 881st of 3,050 |
| Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.3% tied 352nd of 2,916 | 14.7% tied 59th of 2,916 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 92.4% 383rd of 3,094 | 94.3% 127th of 3,094 |
| Adults with Obesity (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 30.0% tied 196th of 2,916 | 32.9% tied 429th of 2,916 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 9.37% 656th of 3,094 | 8.34% 424th of 3,094 |
| Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.1% tied 423rd of 2,916 | 15.4% tied 271st of 2,916 |
| Adults Who Binge Drink (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 17.3% tied 1,284th of 2,916 | 17.0% tied 1,138th of 2,916 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $1,756 2,977th of 3,090 | $1,477 2,831st of 3,090 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 6,194 tied 2,151st of 3,050 | 6,583 2,289th of 3,050 |
| Adults Who Smoke (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 11.5% tied 222nd of 2,916 | 10.5% tied 114th of 2,916 |
| Median IncomePoorest Counties | $101,883 154th of 2,000 | $110,416 95th of 2,000 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 4.6% tied 2,157th of 3,094 | 4.7% tied 2,256th of 3,094 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 43.0% 199th of 3,094 | 47.7% 127th of 3,094 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $101,883 154th of 3,093 | $110,416 95th of 3,093 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 28.5 2,407th of 3,094 | 28.5 2,413th of 3,094 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Essex County, MA or Lake County, IL?
- Lake County, IL comes out ahead of Essex County, MA on 19 of 29 statistics where one end is better, to 9 with 1 ties. Essex County, MA leads on Health. Lake County, IL leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Essex County, MA or Lake County, IL?
- Essex County, MA has a population of 827,136 (80th of 3,094 US counties) and Lake County, IL has 720,188 (98th of 3,094).
- How do Essex County, MA and Lake County, IL compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Essex County, MA $101,883 (154th of 3,093), Lake County, IL $110,416 (95th of 3,093) among US counties. Lake County, IL ranks better.
- How do Essex County, MA and Lake County, IL compare on Poverty Rate (%)?
- Poverty Rate (%): Essex County, MA 9.37% (656th of 3,094), Lake County, IL 8.34% (424th of 3,094) among US counties. Lake County, IL ranks better.
- Where does Essex County, MA beat Lake County, IL most clearly?
- Essex County, MA ranks far ahead on Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 79.1% vs 75.1%; Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 6.5% vs 9.7%; Adults with Diabetes (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 8.7% vs 9.8%.
- Where does Lake County, IL beat Essex County, MA most clearly?
- Lake County, IL ranks far ahead on Adults with Depression (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 18.5% vs 23.0%; Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 33.8% vs 36.7%; Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 19.4% vs 23.2%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Essex County, MA or Lake County, IL.